Offshore,
65km east of Mersing, Pulau Aur, and the three smaller islands of
Pulau Dayang, Pulau Lang and Pulau Pinang, together with Pulau
Pemanggil which is 15km northwest of Pulau Aur, make up the rest of
the Johor Marine Park. Most of the rocky islands are well forested
and have isolated coconut plantations. With deep, clear water,
healthy corals and regular encounters with large pelagic species,
these islands have the potential to become international diving
locations.

Several underwater Pinnacles on the east side of Pulau Aur rise 30m
from the sea floor to within 10m of the surface with good hard coral
growth including undamaged table corals (Acropora Sp.). 'Rayner's
Rock' northeast of Pulau Dayang, is a similar 33m high, submerged
rock where there are impressive Boulder Corals (Porites Sp.),
Whale Sharks have been seen and delightful encounters with large
Manta Rays (Manta birostris) are common.

It is surprising to see extraordinarily large numbers of juvenile
fish this far offshore, many are so different in shape and markings
from their adults that they can be mistaken for different species.

When fish are ready to breed, many strategies have evolved to ensure
that only the strongest males and females mate. In some species, the
presence of Alpha (larger) females prevent smaller fish becoming
females. With many other species males fight to establish
domination. With so many fish of similar shapes living in close
proximity on crowded reefs it would be a waste of energy if adults
picked unnecessary fights with juveniles. One way to avoid this
happening is for juveniles to be a completely different colour,
pattern or shape from mature adults.

byPublic Transport

byCar/Private Transport

From Singapore

There are a few buses that run to Mersing from Singapore on a
daily basis. The easiest way is Transnasional direct from
Singapore to Mersing: departure from the junction of Kallang
Bahru and Lavender Street at 9am, 10am and 10pm.

Drive through Johor Bahru until you reach Kota Tinggi,
approximately an hour from JB. Mersing's jetty is located at
Mersing town, an hour's drive further from Kota Tinggi. You may
park your car at a secure parking space at Mersing Town. There
are lots of road signs along the way that will help you get to
Mersing, and past complaints about the quality of the roads have
been addressed with the resurfacing and widening of the highway

From Kuala
Lumpur

You
can get to the town of Mersing from KL bybus. Catch a
Transnasional bus from Puduraya bus station. They leave Puduraya
bus station three times per day, at 11.00 am, 10.30 pm and 11.00
pm. Travel time is approximately 5 hours.

Take the north/south highway from KL, and exit at Air Hitam,
about two hours' drive away. From there, drive to Kluang, then
Kahang, and finally to Mersing Town, a journey that should take
about an hour and a half. You can park your car at a secure
parking space at Mersing Town